Economic Development
Economic Development promotes a prosperous and diverse economy through business and investor attraction, growth, and expansion. The team works closely with stakeholders and partners to support key initiatives with a focus on job creation and retention, and in the attraction of new business investments within the community. The economic development department collaborates with local businesses and organizations, assisting them in the advancement of their projects and in attaining their goals. The team works in conjunction with an established network of regional, provincial, and federal partners to support the economic development of the community and to remain privy to all potential financial, investment, and development opportunities for the Municipality of West Nipissing.
The West Nipissing Economic Development Committee, is committed and engaged with a vested interest in the community. With a focus on attracting investments and job creation and retention, we work with businesses to provide support and promote a healthy business process in our development-friendly Municipality. Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon and Councillor Jérôme Courchesne sit on this committee among other members of the community.
In their 2019 and 2021 census of Canada’s Best Communities, Maclean’s Magazine ranked West Nipissing as the top Northern Ontario community.
West Nipissing hosted the International Plowing Match, which had over 81,000 attendees and was named a top 100 event in Ontario in 2019 by Festival Events Ontario.
In 2018, MoneySense ranked West Nipissing as the “Best Place to Live in Canada” over 414 other Canadian cities due to affordable tax rates.
- Expand All
- Close All
Our vibrant Northern community has a small town charm with big city amenities in close proximity. Joie de vivre is a driving force in building our community and distinguishing the Municipality from its surrounding communities. The Municipality is nestled between Sudbury and North Bay, which further extends the diversity of offerings in health care, post-secondary education, employment and shopping opportunities.
- Affordable real estate and lower than average tax rates
- Year-round recreational opportunities
- Various educational institutions from primary to post-secondary
- Numerous options for excellent child care services
- Modern health care and long-term care facilities
- Minnehaha Bay Community Waterfront Park
- Restaurants and renowned chip stands
- Exceptional infrastructure and services
Population (as of 2016): 14,364
West Nipissing is among the minority of growing communities in Northern Ontario, seeing consistent population growth over the last three Statistics Canada census.
- 2.3% growth from 2011 to 2016
- 9.3% growth from 2001 to 2016
67.6% are fluent in both English and French
The Municipality’s Bilingualism By-law strives to ensure equitable treatment across West Nipissing, and celebrates bilingualism.
61.4% of the total population are of working age (15 to 64)
- 15.9% of working age residents are 15 to 24 years old
- 32% of working age residents are 25 to 44 years old
- 52% of working age residents are 45 to 64 years old
78.8% of residents aged 24 to 64 have a high school diploma, college education, university degree, or higher level of education.
The most common fields of study include health professions and related programs; business, management, marketing and related support services; education; mechanic and repair technologies; engineering technologies and fields.
$55,390 is the median total income of households in 2015
- 9.9% increase from 2005
These demographics and diverse economy combined with continued support from governments and private sector investors provide businesses with a strong and skillful labour pool.
Source: Statistics Canada 2016 Census
Situated between Sudbury and North Bay, West Nipissing’s geographic locale has several advantages. The regional market territory entails large volumes of activity from a population of approximately 235,000. Served by the Trans-Canada Highway 17 and located near the Highway 11 junction, West Nipissing is easily accessible from all four geographic corners of Ontario by rail and land, only hours from major city centres including Ottawa, Toronto, and the United States. With full service airports in Sudbury and North Bay, connections nationally and internationally are only a short drive away.
West Nipissing rests along the shore of Lake Nipissing, a spatial mid-point of Canada’s largest mining cluster in the centre of one of Canada’s most concentrated forests. As part of the basin of an ancient lake, the land is richer than much of Northeastern Ontario’s typical soil, contributing to an affluent agricultural economy.
Strategic business development and expansion incentives:
- Various programs and services to support businesses
- Affordable industrial land and low development costs
- Diverse and well-educated bilingual workforce
- Healthy local economy
- Strong support from governments and private sector investors
- No traffic congestion with rail and land transportation networks
- Committed and engaged Municipality with a vested interest in its community
- Many opportunities for value-added products and industries provided through primary industries and capacities
Land Use and Development Strategy for the Former Mill Site (2023)
Land Use and Development Strategy – Existing Conditions Report (2023)
Housing Strategy (2023)
Housing Strategy – Existing Conditions Report (2023)
Community Improvement Plan (2022)
West Nipissing Economic Development Priorities 2021
Industrial Park Feasibility Study (2016)
Leakage Analysis and Market Feasibility Study (2015)
Tourism Attraction Study (2015)
Human Resources Development Community Action Plan (2009)
New Vision (2005)
Position Plan (2003)
Position Plan – Executive Summary (2003)
Contact
Stephan Poulin
Director of Economic Development and Community Services
705-753-6902
spoulin@westnipissing.ca
Kassandra Girard
Economic Development Officer
705-753-6915
kgirard@westnipissing.ca